Choosing the Right Light Bulbs for Each Room in Your Home

If one of the lamps you’ve had for years needs a replacement light bulb, you might not be able to buy the same kind as you did before because certain types of light bulbs are no longer manufactured. The phasing out of incandescent and halogen bulbs is a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act that President George Bush signed in 2007.See Disclosure ¹

Most light bulbs are now LEDs, which stands for light-emitting diode. An LED light uses 75 percent less energy and lasts 25 times longer than an incandescent bulb.See Disclosure ² Their increased efficiency helps to reduce waste in landfills and makes them an important part of sustainable living efforts. And for those wondering, “what are the brightest light bulbs,” LEDs are able to emit a brighter light while using fewer watts.

When buying light bulbs for indoor use, A19 light bulbs are available in various wattages for fixtures such as ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps. However, for night-lights, you’ll need an S6 light bulb with a smaller base and minimal wattage. Chandeliers and some pendant lights will use C7 candelabra bulbs or CA-10 candelabra angular bulbs that resemble the shape of a flame. There are even specific light bulbs meant for appliances like microwaves and ovens.

If you are replacing the bulb in an outdoor light fixture, you’ll want to check out BR30 light bulbs that are intended for exterior flood lights. Fortunately, these are also LED lights, so you can brighten up your backyard or front entry while conserving energy. This is also beneficial if you’re planning on installing security lighting because you won’t have to replace the light bulbs as often as you would have with incandescent or halogen options.

Aside from their wattages and general shape and size, another aspect of buying light bulbs is their color temperature. The higher the color temperature, the warmer the light emitted. Deciding between warm white vs. soft white light bulbs depends greatly on the room that the lighting fixture is in. For instance, light bulbs for kitchen spaces should be bright enough to focus on tasks, such as chopping up ingredients, with a cooler hue to keep you alert. Many people choose to have accent lighting installed underneath cabinets for enhanced brightness on the countertops below.

Along the same lines, the best light bulbs for bathrooms will have a cooler temperature with enough wattage to be able to see what you’re doing while brushing your teeth and washing your face. On the other hand, the best light bulbs for bedrooms are ones that produce a softer glow that’s more conducive to winding down at night. Some rooms, like dining rooms, might require different hues and intensities depending on the time of day. In those cases, installing a dimmer switch and using dimmable light bulbs can help you achieve various vibes in the same space. Another more seamless way to adjust the mood in your rooms is to invest in smart lighting.

Not only can you change lighting temperature and brightness with smart light bulbs, but you can also create a schedule for when they turn off and on using an app on your phone or through a smart display. Plus, even though LED lights are more efficient than their predecessors, they can still be left on when no one is in the room, which wastes energy and contributes to larger utility bills. By programming certain times of day that your lights will operate, you can be certain about your monthly expenses. Better yet, you can live greener.

Another advantage of smart lights is that they can provide peace of mind when you’re out of town by giving the illusion that your house is occupied. Also, you can set your exterior lights to turn on when it gets dark, making it more welcoming when you arrive back home.

When choosing the best light bulbs for your home, much of it comes down to your personal preferences and which fixtures you have. If you want a cozier space with a mellow mood, opt for soft white light bulbs with a lower wattage. For a more modern home, or kitchen and bathroom spaces, cooler white lights at higher wattages might be a better match. Regardless of hue and intensity, smart light bulbs can add the convenience of home automation and the comfort of security at the same time.

Thanks to the wide array of smart lighting options on the market today, you can choose light bulbs from various popular brands and connect them to your smart hub. Then, you can enjoy turning off the lights from the comfort of your bed by giving a vocal command to the digital voice assistant in your smart speaker.

1. “Summary of the Energy Independence and Security Act.” United States Environment Protection Agency. October 16, 2022. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-energy-independence-and-security-act.

2. “LED Lighting.” U.S. Department of Energy. June 18, 2021. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting#:~:text=LED%20is%20a%20highly%20energy,times%20longer%2C%20than%20incandescent%20lighting.